Yankees

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Yu Darvish allowed two
singles over 6 1/3 scoreless innings in his first
start in 16 days, combining with three relievers
on a three-hitter as the Texas Rangers beat
the New Yankees 3-0 Monday night.
Darvish (9-4), who last pitched July 6 before
going on the disabled list with a right
trapezius strain, struck out four and walked
two. He left after allowing consecutive batters
to reach in the seventh, having thrown 60 of
90 pitches for strikes.
Just before the game, the Rangers announced
they had acquired right-hander Matt Garza
from the Chicago Cubs. Garza, who had been
scheduled to start for Chicago at Arizona on
Monday night, likely will make his Texas debut
Wednesday night against the Yankees.
Ivan Nova (4-3) struck out four while throwing
a season-high 112 pitches over seven innings.
All-Star closer Joe Nathan pitched the ninth
for his 31st save in 32 chances to cap the
Rangers' eighth shutout of the season.
The Yankees, coming off an 11-inning loss
late Sunday night at Boston, were held
scoreless for the eighth time.
Texas had reliever Robbie Ross warming up
while the Rangers were batting in the sixth.
But Darvish came out to start the seventh,
and appeared frustrated when manager Ron
Washington came out of the dugout to make
the pitching change.
Ross then got Travis Hafner , the only batter
he faced, to ground into an inning-ending
double play. Tanner Scheppers worked a
perfect eighth.
Nelson Cruz homered for the Rangers, who
had lost seven of eight games. They were
swept at home in a three-game series by
Baltimore over the weekend after the All-Star
break.
Cruz's 23rd homer was a 412-foot solo shot in
the seventh that landed in the Yankees'
bullpen in left-center field and made it 3-0.
The Rangers led for good after Ian Kinsler
drew a leadoff walk in the first, stole second
base and scored on Adrian Beltre 's single --
the first run they've scored in the first inning
in 11 games. In the sixth, Elvis Andrus had a
walk and a stolen base before Geovany Soto
doubled.
New York didn't have a hit until Lyle Overbay
led off the fifth with a bloop single into short
left field out of the reach of third baseman
Adrian Beltre. The Yankees didn't have
another hit until Overbay lined a single to right
in the seventh, just before Vernon Wells
walked and Darvish came out of the game.
Darvish only missed one start for Texas, but
was unable to pitch in the All-Star game even
though he did go to New York last week.
Texas sent rookie right-hander Justin Grimm ,
top prospect third baseman Mike Olt and
Class-A pitcher C.J. Edwards to the Cubs.
There will also be at least one player to be
named later, possibly two, depending on who
is chosen by Chicago.
Game notes
The Rangers' bullpen has pitched 22 1/3
consecutive scoreless innings. ... Yankees OF
Curtis Granderson, expected back early next
month from a broken pinkie, got three at-bats
in his first simulated game in Tampa and
continued running the bases. Granderson said
he feels like it's "at the spring training point
again" where preseason games are just a few
days away. His status will be evaluated after
simulated games Tuesday and Wednesday. ...
C Francisco Cervelli , sidelined by right wrist
and elbow injuries, did on-field defensive drills
and expects to soon start taking batting
practice in an indoor cage in Tampa, while INF
Jayson Nix (strained right hamstring) got six
at-bats in his latest simulated game, but did
not run the bases.